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Flight training in-aircraft instruction

This type of instruction involves training one-on-one with a flight instructor. Your first goal will be learning to fly straight-and-level, take-off, and land; building to your first ‘solo’ flight. Over the course of the program your flying skills will advance to the level where you can act as a commercial pilot of a multi-engine aircraft, capable of flying exclusively by referencing your instruments (such as in cloudy conditions where you can’t see the ground or horizon).

Payment for this aspect of training is made directly to the Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre (WWFC). This training culminates in a flight test at specific milestones. To earn a pilot license, you must successfully complete a flight test and a Transport Canada written examination.

Preparatory Ground Instruction (PGI) instruction is taught by WWFC flight instructors in a classroom setting. The goal of PGI is to teach you the underlying knowledge required to effectively maneuver an aircraft. PGI directly supports your in-aircraft flight training, and the first PGI occurs in the first term of your program in fall.

Year 1 - Winter (January - April)

In-aircraft (20 hours)

This initial flight training prepares the student for their first solo and subsequent upper air work. Topics include: attitudes and movements, straight and level flight, climbs and descents, flight for range and endurance, slow flight and stalls, spins, steep turns, slips, forced approaches, diversions, and precautionary landings. Following solo, students will continue to refine their skills on the exercises listed above.

PGI

This part of Flight Lab One will prepare students for their initial phases of flight training, leading to their first solo flight and initial upper air work. Lab One, split into Parts A and B over the fall and winter semesters in the first year of the program provide the required PGI for all flights up to the Private Pilot Licence (PPL).

Year 1 - Spring (May - August)

In-aircraft (45 hours)

There are no UWaterloo courses scheduled in this term. Students will continue working on the exercises listed in the previous term and work on navigation, cross-country flight, instrument work and preparation for their private flight test.

PGI

This is a continuation of Flight Lab One (Part A) and completes the required PGI for the PPL. It includes practical navigation and meteorology exercises, in flight emergency procedures, and aircraft performance calculations.

Year 2 - Fall (September - December)

In-aircraft (20 hours)

This block completes the Night Rating and builds Pilot in Command time towards the Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL). Flights are undertaken both with classmates (mutual) and alone (solo) to build experience and confidence. Terminal areas, longer cross-country, trans-border and instrument work are included in this phase of training.

PGI

This flight lab segment provides the PGI for the night rating and ‘time build phases’ of training leading to the commercial licence. Emphasis is on cross-country navigation and flight, as well as night operations.

Year 2 - Spring (May - August)

In-aircraft (65 hours)

There are no UWaterloo courses scheduled in this term. This block builds Pilot in Command time towards the commercial licence. Flights are undertaken both with classmates (mutual) and alone (solo) to build experience and confidence. Terminal areas, longer cross-country, trans-border and instrument work are included in this phase of training. This phase prepares the student for their commercial flight test (at about 150 hours of total logged time).

PGI

This flight lab provides the completion of the PGI required for the CPL. Emphasis is on complex single and twin-engine aircraft performance, advanced practical exercises in navigation and meteorology and instrument flying rules.

Year 3 - Fall (September - December)

In-aircraft (25 hours)

This phase includes the Multi-Engine Rating on the Piper Seminole and the completion of the Multi-Engine Instrument Rating.

PGI

There is no PGI during this term.

Year 3 - Spring (May - August)

In-aircraft (50 hours)

There are no UWaterloo courses scheduled in this term. This phase builds Multi-Engine Instrument Rating (IFR) flight time in preparation for the IFR Flight Test. Emphasis is on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and two-crew environment. Actual IFR flight will be conducted whenever practical. Completion of required flight experience for the CPL including cross-country flights, including one long flight to the Maritimes or Florida will build flight planning experience, en route problem-solving and flying in unfamiliar territory. Use of instrument navigation and use of Low En Route (LO) Charts is emphasized.